Belfast streets calm last night

The streets of east Belfast were calm last night after four consecutive nights of rioting which left 19 police officers injured.

Several civilians were also hit by gunfire during the violence, including five people who were shot on Monday night.

Police said the riots, concentrated on the Catholic Short Strand area, were orchestrated by both republican and loyalist paramilitaries.

Northern Secretary John Reid held talks with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and Progressive Unionist Party leader David Ervine yesterday in an effort to end the disturbances.